Roomy luxury and a sporty ride combine in newest

By Tim Yip, Edmonton Journal

Originally published: February 5, 2013

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Car enthusiasts expect a world class driving experience from BMWs, so the all-new-for-2013 3 Series has a reputation to uphold. This is the sixth generation platform for the 3 Series, and in BMW lingo, it’s called the F30 chassis.

For 2013, BMW has slightly increased the size of the F30, bringing it closer to the dimensions of its main competition, the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Where BMW has taken a major departure is to offer two smooth-revving 2.0-litre (181 and 241 horsepower) 4-cylinder turbocharged engines in place of lower power 6-cylinder engines. Our 328i xDrive Luxury Line all-wheel-drive tester came with the mid-power 241 horsepower engine. A 300-horsepower turbocharged 6-cylinder is also available.

In redesigning the 328, BMW didn’t mess with a good thing. The 2013 328 isn’t easily distinguishable from the last generation. The trademark BMW twin kidney grille still dominates the nose, but the telltale design cues of the latest version are the lower air intake/ fog light surrounds, which are boxier and deeper than previous versions. The last-generation E90 platform was a very handsome vehicle, and the new sixth generation F30 inherits the family’s good looks. Inside the cabin, BMW has really upped its game. The new interior feels more spacious and even richer than before.

The fly in this German beauty’s ointment is the optional Premium Package ($3,500) our tester came with, that includes the navigation system (among other convenience items).

The large, rectangular navigation display screen is easy to read, but is an eyesore stuck on the dash – it looks like BMW’s designers chanted the ‘function over form’ mantra once too often and threw good design sense out the window.

Despite that design faux pas, the rest of the cabin is very nice indeed, nearly matching the best-in-class Audi A4.

Like the A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the 328i is loaded with numerous technological features. The BMW has a steep learning curve, especially for using the car’s console-mounted iDrive controller. It’s a round knob that can be manipulated like a computer’s mouse to navigate and select a wide variety of car audio, navigation and communications functions. One brilliantly convenient feature is that the owner’s manual is loaded onto the car’s hard drive. In a pinch, one can read the manual on the aforementioned display screen.

But what sports sedan enthusiasts really want to know is, how does it drive? Very nicely, thank you very much.

We tested the new 328i back-to-back with a last-generation E90 (a 328i rear wheel drive) and the differences are significant. First, the new 328i’s steering is considerably lighter than the old version. That’s good and bad. The lighter steering of the new 328i will appeal to a broader range of drivers, particularly women, but hard-core enthusiasts will decry the loss of steering weight and road feel.

Second, the new car’s suspension, as superb as it is, offers more compliance and a plusher ride than the old version. At times, even in city freeway driving, there’s the slightest hint of floatiness in the suspension. Clearly, BMW is trying to broaden the appeal of its newest baby and has softened certain elements of the driving experience.

That’s not to say the 328i has been dulled; it is most definitely still a driver’s car. Steering turn-in is deliciously light and quick, and the brakes offer excellent feedback. Disconcertingly, the powerful, 241-horsepower 2.0-litre engine clatters like a work truck on cold start.

But underway, it’s as if the BMW’s fairy godmother magically transforms it from utilitarian worker to sophisticated nobleman. Power is silky smooth and muscular and the eight-speed automatic transmission means the car is responsive and lively. BMW’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine is a gem, more powerful and fuel efficient than the six-cylinder engine it replaces.

With the all-wheel-drive system programmed to allow plenty of latitude in its traction control system and the near ideal 51 per cent-to-49 per cent front-rear weight distribution, this car is superbly predictable and can be drifted through snowy corners with great confidence.

In short, the new 328i xDrive is a superbly rewarding car to drive, both in style and in substance.